Sky News Daily Forgotten victims: How do first responders deal with trauma?
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Nov 4, 2025 In this discussion, Sky News correspondent Dan Whitehead shares gripping insights into the often-overlooked trauma faced by first responders after fatal crashes involving young drivers. He talks with paramedic Grant Thompson about the emotional toll of attending such tragic scenes. Dan also explores the ripple effect of road deaths on families and communities. Highlighting coping mechanisms used by responders and the burdens of delivering bad news, he advocates for stricter driving regulations to enhance road safety and protect both survivors and responders.
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Paramedic's Harrowing Scene Recalls
- Grant Thompson described arriving quickly to scenes where multiple young people died and being shocked by what he saw.
- He and colleagues said these jobs are obsessing and hard to open up about after 30 years on the job.
Trauma Ripples Beyond Families
- First responders experience a ripple effect of trauma beyond victims' families that affects colleagues and clinicians.
- Dan Whitehead emphasised that those who get the 999 call feel the impact just as much as relatives do.
Consultant Finds Breaking Bad News Hardest
- Dr Anne Hicks said the toughest part of her emergency work is talking to relatives and breaking bad news.
- She finds satisfaction when done well but remembers the faces of nearly every relative she's spoken to.